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Former United States Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr will receive a new set of medals after his were destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has confirmed.<\/b><\/p>\n
Three-time Olympian Hall had to evacuate from his home in Pacific Palisades last week as fire swept through the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n
He said he fled taking only his dog, the insulin he uses to treat his diabetes, a painting of his grandfather, and a religious artifact.<\/p>\n
The 50-year-old was unable to return to the house to get the five gold, three silver and two bronze medals he won at Olympic Games from 1996-2004.<\/p>\n
“I was getting pelted by embers on that first run,” Hall told the Los Angeles Times. “So I grabbed my dog and some dog food, and that was it.<\/p>\n
“Could I have stayed 30 seconds longer and maybe got the medals? I wasn’t willing to take that risk.”<\/p>\n
Bach said in a post on X that Hall will be given replica medals.<\/p>\n
“We are in full solidarity with the citizens of Los Angeles and full of admiration for the tireless work of the firefighters and the security forces,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Currently the full focus must be on the fight against the fires and the protection of the people and property.<\/p>\n
“We have also learned that a great Olympian, Gary Hall Jr has lost his medals in the fire. The IOC will provide him with replicas.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n